HOPKINS COUNTY, Ky. - Ruth Elizabeth (Betty) Arnold passed away peacefully June 2 at Baptist Madisonville. She was surrounded by her beloved family: her husband and love of her life, Dr. Gene Arnold, and daughters Eileen and Alice Arnold.

Betty was born September 14, 1923 in Canton, Ohio to Dr. Irving and Mrs. Eileen Garwood. She grew up in Macomb, Illinois and received her undergraduate degree from Carlton College. After graduation, Betty moved to Chicago and worked at Commerce Clearing House proofreading and editing legal documents. Later, she continued her education at the University of Iowa and received a master's degree in what was then referred to as speech correction.

While at the University of Iowa, she had the lasting good fortune to met Gene Arnold, who was in pre-med studies through the army specialized training program. In 1948, Betty and Gene were married in Louisville, Ky. While Gene completed medical school, Betty worked as a speech correctionist for the Louisville Public Schools.

Eileen was born in 1951 in Louisville and Alice was born in 1953 in Clinton, Ky.

The Arnold family moved back to Gene's hometown of Madisonville in 1953, where Betty lived the rest of her life.

Betty's primary focus and gift in life was supporting her husband and daughters, and, later, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was unsurpassed in her talent to make others feel loved and accepted.

Along with Dr. Gene Arnold, Eileen, and Alice, her survivors include sons-in-law Jim Salmon and John Pajunen; her grandchildren Dan Bender (Elizabeth Shanin), Logan Pajunen, and Thea Pajunen, and her great-granddaughters Julia and Evelyn Bender.

The family expresses deep appreciation to the following people: Chrystal Trover, Tammy Gal, and Linda Hollis, for their loving care of Betty over the last several years, and neighbors Onnie and James Cooper. Also profoundly appreciated are the 3 West nursing and medical staffs at Baptist Madisonville, whose competent and loving care helped bring peace into Betty's last days.

Expressions of sympathy may be directed to the Humane Society of Hopkins County or St. Mary's Episcopal Church.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday June 8, 2013 at St. Mary's Episcopal Church.

Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the church.